700 Sickle Cell Patients Gets Free Service in Yobe State

The Yobe State Government says it has concluded arrangements to provide free medical services to 700 sickle cell patients, to mitigate hardships for carriers and caregivers.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muhammed Gana, disclosed on Monday in Damaturu at an event to commemorate the 2022 World Sickle Cell Day, with the theme: Shine the Light.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Saving One Million Lives Programme for Results and Sickle Cell Eradication Initiative.

Represented by Dr. Abdullahi Danchua, Director, Nursing Services, Gana said the medical services would be provided through Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency.

“Yobe government through YOCHMA’s equity fund will provide free healthcare services to over 700 sickle cell patients across the state.

“This will reduce the burden of cost implication experienced by parents that are having cases of sickle cell diseases and their households.”

Alhaji Ajiya Maina, Chairman, Yobe House of Assembly Committee on Health, said the House would enact legislation to mandate genotype tests for intending couples before marriage.

He said this would help to reduce the prevalence of the disease in the state.

The Executive Director, Yobe Sickle Cell Disease Eradication Initiative, Dr. Aliyu Muhammad, stressed the need for people to know their genotype before marriage.